Champions Fighting Cancer Walk

Friday

May 2, 2014 at 6:00 AM

Six reasons to join the walk...

Staff Reporter

1. Biggest walk in SE Mass.Get ready to lace up your sneakers to join the 15th annual Champions Fighting Cancer Walk on Sunday, with proceeds going to Signature Healthcare and the Chrystine M. Sullivan Memorial Foundation to help local cancer programs and families in the community. This is the largest walk in southeastern Massachusetts. Thousands are expected to walk. So far, 140 teams are registered, officials said.

2. Raise money, get rewardedThe event has raised more than $100,000, with a goal of $220,000. If that sum is reached on Sunday, the walk will have raised more than $3 million in 15 years. To register to be a walker, sponsor a walker or check the progress of proceeds being raised, go to www.championsfightingcancerwalk.com.The first 200 people to raise $100 or more to the website receive a commemorative 2014 Champions Fighting Cancer Walk T-shirt. The first 50 people to raise $500 receive a commemorative 2014 Champions Fighting Cancer Walk sweatshirt.

3. Volunteers are keyMore than 200 volunteers coordinate the annual event, helping with such tasks as registering walkers to face paintings. To volunteer, call 508-941-7000 and ask for Signature Healthcare Foundation. At the end of the walk, there will be a cookout with donations from Sweet Pete’s ice cream, Crocetti’s, Coca-Cola and Garelick Farms.

4. Don’t like walking? Then rideThe Champions Ride for Pediatrics takes place on the same day, offering bikers the chance to help raise money for things like toys and playroom renovations for children seeing pediatricians in the hospital. The cost is $20 per bike. For tickets and more information, call Mary Christian at 508-941-7361. Fire & Iron Firefighters Motorcycle Club, Station 144, will be hosting the event with all proceeds benefiting the pediatric unit and children and youth programs at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and pediatric services at Signature Medical Group.

5. Don’t miss the health fairThere will be post-walk and ride festivities for friends, families, neighbors and community members, including health handouts and screenings, raffle items, hospital- and cancer-related sale items. There also will be information tables covering topics such as eye health, joint care, women’s health and pediatrics and much more. Live entertainment, face painting, an ice cream truck and a cookout will add to the family fun.

6. Shorter walk offeredRegistration for the 4.5-mile walk will be held from 8 to 10:30 a.m., in the Brockton High School Red Cafeteria. A shuttle bus will bring other participants to City Hall to begin the 1.5-mile walk. Both walks will end at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.